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Major Organs
External sexual organs:
penis and scrotum
Accessory organs
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
2. Testes (=testicles)
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 1
primary reproductive organ of male
b. spermatogenesis:
‡formation and maturation of sperm cells
a. seminiferous tubules
in cross section:
b. interstitial cells
are scattered between the seminiferous tubules
3. Epididymis
5. Ejaculatory Duct
ducts from seminal vesicles join vas deferens to form a short ejaculatory
duct that passes through the prostate gland and joins the urethra
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 2
6. Urethra
Accessory Organs
three accessory glands secrete fluids that mix with the sperm = semen
secretes a thin, milky, liquid that protects sperm from the acidity of male
urethra and female vagina
during sexual arousal they produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates
the head of the penis in preparation for intercourse
during arousal some of this fluid may appear at tip of penis and
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 3
may contain sufficient sperm to fertilize the egg even without actual
ejaculation
typical discharge is 3 – 5 ml
~10% is sperm and fluids from spermatic ducts
30% prostatic fluid
60% fluid from seminal vesicles
trace from bulbourethral glands
the secretion of FSH and LH is fairly constant from day to day in males
Testosterone functions:
1. local effects on sperm development in seminiferous tubules
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 4
3. promotes muscular development, bone growth,
thickening of skin and growth of facial and body hair
Spermatogenesis
Steps of spermatogenesis:
spermatozoa are released and washed down the tubule to the epididymus
Spermatozoan Structure
head
long “pear” shaped
acrosome – contains enzymes that will be used to penetrate the egg
tail
includes
midpiece‡ produce the ATP needed for propulsion
1. Vulva
at external opening of vagina
function:
sensory arousal
glands for lubrication
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 6
2. Breasts (Mammary Glands)
nutrient rich food for nursing infant
in developing countries often the best meals a person gets in
his/her lifetime
‡ diseases associated with cessation of nursing
3. Ovaries
perform two major functions:
1. oogenesis
formation of eggs
2. hormone secretions
mainly estrogen and progesterone
ovaries and other internal reproductive organs are held in place by several
connective tissue ligaments:
ovarian ligament – connects ovary to uterus
suspensory ligament – connects ovary to pelvic wall
broad ligament – encloses uterine tube and connects it to
sides of uterus
ciliated along its length and muscular wall to move egg down to uterus
subdivided into:
fundus = upper portion
body = mid portion
cervix = lower portion that extends into the vagina
3 layers:
perimetrium (=visceral peritoneum) ‡ serous tissue
myometrium ‡ muscle layers
endometrium ‡ inner mucous lining
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 8
in women, all are cyclic events
‡not continuous as in males
Hormone production
FSH & LH stimulate follicle cells in ovary to begin secreting estrogen &
progesterone
Estrogen function:
1. development and maturation of reproductive tract
2. development and maintenance of secondary sexual
characteristics
change in fat distribution
enlargement of mammary glands
inhibits growth of extremities
3. behavioral changes (~sex drive, courtship behaviors)
Progesterone function:
1. has its greatest effect on estrogen primed tissues
2. changes that favor pregnancy and lactation
endometrial thickening
development of mammary glands
Oogenesis
in fetus, immature egg cells (=oogonia) multiply by mitosis until 5th month of
gestation
normally just one of these reaches maturity and ovulates and the rest
degenerate
as follicle cells develop, egg develops within under influence of FSH & LH from
Ant. Pituitary
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 9
egg undergoes meiosis but stops as secondary oocyte (metaphase II) until
fertilization
only ~400 – 500 follicles will ever develop into mature ova and be released by
ovaries during a woman’s reproductive years
when woman reaches menopause (~50 yrs) very few primary follicles are left
in ovaries
‡ reproduction ceases
within the ovary immature egg cells = primary oocytes are enclosed within
primordial follicles
by 10 days or so only one primary follicle remains and has matured into a
mature follicle (=graafian follicle)
after ovulation, the follicle collapses and becomes the corpus luteum
‡ secretes large amounts of progesterone
these cycles are roughly 28 days long and have different names
depending on the process in focus
divided into:
a. follicular phase
a single follicle matures and is released at ovulation
lasts ~12 days
b. luteal phase
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 10
remaining follicle cells develop into corpus luteum
lasts ~11 days
c. menstrual phase
uterine endometrium is shed =menstruation
lasts ~5 days
4 phases:
Mammary Glands
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2005 11